If I could not be myself and had to choose to be a well-known historical figure instead, I think I would choose to be Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Three reasons:
She did work that made a great difference in the world: work that nourished her own spirit and the spirits of others.
She had a full life, including a marriage and seven children (though only three of them survived her). While it may have been terribly painful to lose so many children, I consider it preferable to the spinster life that other literary women sometimes led.
She lived in a time that was beginning to be reasonably comfortable (no drafty medieval castles for me!). I think this final reason is a sign that I am just around the corner from middle age. :-)
How about you? Whose life would you choose?
4 comments:
I would have to pick Thomas Jackson, the General known as Stonewall. He was a man of profound faith, he was a man who openly opposed slavery, and he was a man who passionately loved his wife. His steadfast devotion to his country speaks of his character, and his loyalty to his comrades displays his passion for living. His death was mourned by soldiers in both the Union Army and the Confederate Army. What does that say about a man when even his enemies lament his passing?
This was not an easy choice. I had to think for an undetermined space of time before I selected my hero. (I came close to Abe Lincoln.) Now, if you had asked which character in fiction....That would be an interesting discussion.
Hmmmm, that's a tough one for me.
Can I pick traits of people?
One part my pastor. He's a Godly man, wise, and honest...sometimes too honest...LOL
Another part my dad (well, I guess I am cuz of the whole genetics thing.) but he's so adventurous and courageous (something I'm not)
Then the final part my sweet mother in law. She's so godly, yet flawed, but so encouraging and wise.
At the risk of sounding overly spiritual, I've been reading the passion week account in my devotions lately, and am always so struck by Mary Magdalene. I definitely would not want the rest of her life, but I am stirred by the deep, passionate love she had for her Savior - and the depth of her knowlege that she could never have saved herself. I am often brought to tears by the account in John 20 of Mary looking for Him in the empty tomb and encountering the risen Christ in the garden. I long to love Him that deeply and passionately all of the time. And to see Him face to face in all His risen glory! ...someday.
I love these responses.
Travis, I'm particularly pleased by your choice of Stonewall Jackson. I don't know why, except that it's cool and unusual.
Sheri - I have people in my life whose characteristics I really admire, as well. Over the years, I think I've grown more like some of those people as I worked on the things I wanted to improve about myself. Some people are just spiritually-gifted in certain areas, however, and I sit back and admire the beauty of it.
Kristi - No need to worry about sounding overly-spiritual here.:-) Every blog has its own readership, and this one is most definitely aimed primarily at Christians. Of course, I'm delighted if any non-Christians choose to linger or follow, but I'm also happy to see open discussion of faith matters. And I love the image you raised of Mary Magdalene in the garden. What a great one for meditation!
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